THRONE SPEECH 2020: Government Of Grenada
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THRONE SPEECH 2020:
Towards Vision 2035:
Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience.
Delivered to the Houses of Parliament
By
Her Excellency Dame Cécile La Grenade, Governor-General
On the Occasion of the Fourth Session of the Tenth
Parliament
Grenada Parliament Building
Mt. Wheldale
St. George’s
October 9, 2020
10:00 A.M.
1Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
Our nation embarks on this Fourth Session of the Tenth Parliament in a time of
unprecedented challenges. As a small island developing state, our country has been dealt
a severe blow by the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, with devastating impacts on our
economy and our way of life. My Government’s response thus far to curb the spread of
the deadly virus and mitigate its economic impact has been broadly successful. We are
fortunate to have had no COVID-related deaths locally and there is no evidence of
community spread of the virus at this time. While this is extremely good news, the
pandemic is far from over. And even as we continue to face tremendous uncertainty, we
must now begin to chart the way forward to a better and brighter future. With God on
our side, we remain undaunted and confident that we will overcome our current
challenges and emerge stronger and more resilient as a nation and a people.
Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
When my Government presented the 2020 Budget in November last year, the outlook for
this year was favorable with the usual downside risks, including the threat of natural
disasters. Real GDP was expected to grow by 3.2 percent and the overall solid
macroeconomic performance we have been enjoying, was expected to continue. A mere
nine months ago, the complete shutdown of the global economy in 2020 on account of
the coronavirus was unthinkable. The fallout has been devastating, especially for small
tourism-dependent economies like Grenada.
Tourism and tertiary education, two of our main engines of growth, stalled almost
overnight with ripple effects on other sectors of the economy such as wholesale & retail,
and real estate, rental and business activities. The construction and transportation sectors
also took major hits. Many of our hard-working citizens faced layoffs or loss of income.
Preliminary estimates indicate that our economy will experience double-digit decline this
year.
2The significant disruption in economic activities has wreaked havoc on public finances.
Government’s revenues declined precipitously with the closure of our borders and the
implementation of other necessary containment measures, while expenditure needs rose
significantly, creating huge budget financing needs.
Government’s Response
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
My Government moved swiftly to blunt the impact of the pandemic on our people and
economy. With the safety of our citizens as our number one priority, one of the first
measures adopted by my Government was reallocating spending to strengthen the
capacity of our health system, including facilitating the procurement of critical health
equipment and supplies.
My Government also took urgent action to contain the virus and safeguard the health of
our citizens by closing our borders and instituting emergency regulations, which
effectively closed schools and businesses to reduce the potential for community spread.
Thanks to these proactive efforts, my Government was successful in containing the
spread of the virus here in Grenada. Unfortunately, some of our nationals overseas have
succumbed to the deadly virus. My Government offers its deepest condolences to their
families and loved ones.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
On the economic front, my Government was also able to mount a quick and decisive
response to support the most affected persons. Thanks to prudent fiscal management
since 2014, anchored by our rules-based fiscal responsibility framework, my Government
was well-positioned to quickly deploy accumulated fiscal buffers. These, together with
additional support from the international community, were utilised to close the huge fiscal
and balance of payments gaps that emerged as a result of the pandemic.
3My Government established a COVID-19 Economic Support Secretariat (CESS) to
coordinate and manage the economic relief in a transparent, effective, and timely
manner. Through this Secretariat, support was provided to thousands of our citizens
throughout Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, including:
- Public bus operators,
- Taxi drivers, tour guides, and tour operators,
- Employees of hotels and guest houses, small travel agencies, restaurants and bars,
and marinas,
- Tourist vendors,
- Market vendors,
- Hairdressers and barbers,
- Dive operators.
This relief was effective in saving thousands of jobs and protecting livelihoods. My
Government has expended in excess of EC $22 million in direct support for those most
affected. The sharp decline in revenue prevents us from indefinitely continuing this broad-
based economic relief. That said, remaining aspects of the stimulus package, including
the small business soft lending facility managed by the Grenada Development Bank, will
continue to be rolled out. My Government will continue to ensure that the highest
standards of transparency and accountability are applied in the disbursement of all
COVID-19-related support.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
As a nation, we have demonstrated impressive resilience during crises, including in
aftermath of the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan, one of the worst
natural disasters to strike Grenada. We will again prevail in this current crisis. My
Government would like to thank all our citizens for their part in helping our beautiful
country navigate these difficult and uncharted waters. My Government would like to
especially thank the workers on the frontlines of the pandemic for their tireless efforts to
4keep us safe. Because of your hard work and dedication, we are where we are today and
can now intensify the process of safely reopening our economy.
My Government assures you that consideration is being given to recognise our
outstanding health care personnel at the 2021 Independence Day celebrations. We will
be seeking recommendations from the various departments and units of the Ministry of
Health to award those who served selflessly during the period of crisis. My Government
looks forward to your continued support as the novel coronavirus remains a clear and
present danger. As a nation, we must continue to work together to defeat this deadly
enemy.
Short-term Priorities
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
My Government faced an agonising choice – leave the economy closed to prevent the
virus from once again reaching our shores, or reopen the economy in the face of
increasing infection around the world. By keeping our borders closed, we run the risk of
irreversible damage to the local economy. We also stand to lose many of the hard-won
gains we achieved in recent years. For example, the spike in unemployment triggered by
the pandemic, could be prolonged; our fiscal situation could go into crisis; and our
economic recovery could be slow and painful. These are outcomes that we do not want.
It is clear therefore that we cannot keep our economy closed indefinitely. However, we
must be mindful of the tremendous risks of reopening in a carefree manner. Our
immediate priority therefore is to carefully reopen our economy while taking every
precaution to safeguard the health of our citizens. Achieving the appropriate balance is
extremely critical as the virus continues to rage in other parts of the world, including in
neighbouring countries and in our major tourism source markets.
5Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
My Government has adopted a phased approach to the reopening. At the present time,
we have reopened our borders to both regional and international travel. We have only
recently reopened our schools for the nation’s children. Significant efforts went into
ensuring that our children were returning to a safe and secure environment. My
Government thanks our teachers and parents for their tremendous support and
cooperation in making this possible. We also recognise the important role of teachers in
adjusting to the new online modality for instruction and that of parents who provided the
critical support that helped students to adapt to this new virtual learning environment.
Students have since returned to the classroom and we are at the juncture where most of
the restrictions on the movement of people and business operations have been lifted.
However, appropriate protocols, including travel entry requirements, social distancing,
and wearing of face masks, are needed to ensure that we minimise the risk of a second
wave of infections associated with the resumption of commercial flights. My Government
strongly encourages all our citizens to continue to adhere to the protocols and to be our
brother’s keeper in the continued fight against this deadly disease.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
As we move to stimulate greater economic activity in the near-term, our focus will shift
from providing relief, to getting our citizens back to work. Over the next three months,
my Government will focus on stimulating economic activity in key sectors that have the
greatest potential impact on growth and employment creation. My Government will
therefore devote attention to boosting construction and agriculture, and supporting small
business development. Emphasis will also be placed on laying the foundation for the
rebound of other sectors, including tourism and tertiary education, to bolster their
recovery.
6Medium-term Priorities
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
As we look beyond the near term, my Government will shift its focus to putting the
economy back on a sustainable growth path, that is both robust and inclusive. My
Government’s framework for policy implementation remains our National Strategic
Development Plan: 2020-2035 which articulates the following shared vision: Grenada, a
resilient and prosperous nation, with a conscious and caring citizenry,
promoting human dignity, and realising its full potential through sustainable
economic, social, and environmental progress for all.
In the current COVID-19 context, the following areas will be accorded priority in the
medium-term, consistent with our vision:
The reinvigoration of our main engines of growth, supported by efforts to boost
our competitiveness, diversify our export base, and create sustainable jobs.
The continued investment in the health and education of our people.
The continued investment in leveraging information and communications
technology (ICT).
The continued investment in agriculture and the light manufacturing sector to
boost food and nutrition security and to reduce our huge food import bill.
The rehabilitation and maintenance of our road network and other physical
infrastructure.
Continued efforts to build resilience against external shocks such as global public
health emergencies.
The continued protection and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable among
us.
The continued efforts to protect our environmental assets, from human and
climate change impacts.
7Consistent with the foregoing, our theme for this new Session of Parliament is “Towards
Vision 2035: Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience.
Economic Outlook
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
Prior to the onset of the pandemic, Grenada was one of the strongest performing
economies in the Caribbean region. My Government is projecting a strong recovery in
2021, with growth of approximately 6.0 percent, supported by a robust rebound in the
construction and agriculture sectors. The rebound of tourism and tertiary education
sectors is projected to be somewhat slower and will depend to a large extent on how
quickly the global economy and travel industry recover. That said, my Government will
deploy all available policy tools to stimulate a strong, job-rich recovery in 2021, and
ensure that we return to a robust, sustainable, and inclusive growth path.
To support the growth and transformation of the economy, my Government intends to
pursue an ambitious programme of action. A Cabinet-appointed Advisory Committee is
currently evaluating and refining recommendations from various sub-committees to help
shape my Government’s agenda in the coming period. Additionally, my Government has
undertaken broader public consultations to further inform its plans, programmes and
policies.
Fiscal Policy
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of sound fiscal management.
The significant erosion of our fiscal revenues, coupled with increased expenditure
demands due to additional health and COVID-related spending, have created an
enormous challenge. Thanks to my Government’s sound fiscal management since 2014,
Grenada was in a much better position to respond to the current crisis than many of its
8regional counterparts. Due to its strong fiscal position going into the crisis, my
Government was able to drawdown on its accumulated fiscal buffers and to quickly
mobilise additional emergency financing from the international community to close the
financing gap.
My Government has been able to meet all of its basic obligations in a timely manner,
including expenditure on salaries, pensions and assistance to the needy, while continuing
to provide support to those directly affected by the pandemic. This attests to the sound
nature of the fiscal policy pursued by my Government in recent years. Fiscal discipline
will therefore continue to be a priority for my Government going forward. However, to
support the economic recovery in the period ahead, my Government will extend the
invocation of the Escape Clause under the Fiscal Responsibility Law to the end of 2021,
to allow for additional recovery spending. Once the recovery process is on a sound
footing, my Government reaffirms its commitment to return to the rules and targets under
the Fiscal Responsibility Law.
Education
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
A well-educated citizenry lies at the heart of our Vision 2035. For this reason, my
Government will continue to prioritize the educational empowerment of our people to
support growth and productivity, as well as human dignity. My Government therefore
remains firmly committed to transforming the education system so that it reflects the
demands of today’s technologically advanced world. In the period ahead, the key focus
areas will include schools' infrastructure, continued infusion of ICT within the school
system, curriculum reform, and institutional strengthening of the education system.
Admittedly the COVID-19 pandemic has presented immense challenges but at the same
time, there are examples of persons facing those challenges head on. It is important here
to commend our students for their excellent performance in the 2020 CSEC examinations.
9The level of success recorded speaks to your resilience and your ability to overcome the
challenges brought about by COVID-19 at a very critical juncture in your preparation for
these exams. My Government congratulates all students who were successful in their
exams.
In the area of tertiary education, St. George’s University (SGU) is a major contributor to
employment and economic activity in our country. This sub-sector will therefore play a
vital role in our economic recovery. My Government is currently collaborating with SGU
to facilitate a full return of all faculty and students in the shortest possible time.
My Government will also continue to support the education of our students through
various scholarships at SGU and other regional and international universities.
Health
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
My Government continues to espouse the philosophy that the health of our nation is the
wealth of our nation. Over the years, my Government has invested heavily in addressing
the fundamental challenges of our health system, including issues related to human
resources, infrastructure, equipment and critical supplies. In 2019, with external support,
several initiatives were undertaken to further strengthen the human resource capacity,
infrastructure development and resilience in the sector. Key activities included the
resumption of the nursing training programme, the reconstruction of the Gouyave Health
Centre, the retrofitting of the Princess Royal Hospital and the Hillsborough Health Centre,
the rehabilitation of health centres and medical stations across Grenada, and the
replacement of the elevator in the Phase 1 Building of the General Hospital.
My Government was also in the process of implementing the World Bank supported OECS
Regional Health Project aimed at improving preparedness of our health system to respond
to public health emergencies. The onset of COVID-19 has underscored the importance of
this project, which is designed to strengthen health infrastructure, surveillance, laboratory
10systems, and health emergency operations. With additional support under this project,
my Government was able to quickly respond to, and successfully manage the spread of
COVID-19 through measures including the procurement of protective equipment for
frontline workers, the procurement of essential medical equipment, and the retrofitting
of isolation centres. The additional financing support will also facilitate the procurement
of a medical oxygen plant given the importance of oxygen in the delivery of health care
and in the treatment of respiratory diseases.
In this new Session of Parliament, my Government will continue its efforts to strengthen
existing systems to sustain core health programmes, build resilience to respond to health
emergencies, and transform the health care sector to better meet the needs of our
people.
Additionally, my Government remains committed to the sustainable financing of our
healthcare system. In this regard, work will continue on developing an appropriate
framework for a sustainable National Health Insurance (NHI) programme.
It is clear that a lot has been accomplished but we recognise that much more must be
done as we continue to effect much-needed improvements in our healthcare system. My
Government remains committed to this process and we acknowledge the health workers
who routinely demonstrate their commitment to improving the delivery of health care
across the country. There are weaknesses too and we commit to addressing the factors
that are within Government’s control while at the same time, appealing for attitude
adjustments where necessary, among our health care team. Together, we can ensure
that the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are receiving the best
possible health care in the best possible environment.
11Agriculture
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
My Government fully recognises the agricultural sector as the bedrock of our economy.
A strong and vibrant agricultural sector is not only essential for food and nutrition security
but also for economic growth, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. In this
regard, my Government reiterates its commitment to continue to support the
revitalisation and growth of the sector for domestic consumption and exports.
Several reforms and initiatives currently underway in the sector will be expanded or
accelerated as needed to give our farmers the tools and resources that they need to
succeed in the industry. Some of these reforms and initiatives include:
- The rollout of the Agriculture Feeder Roads Project;
- The expansion of the Farm Labour Support Programme;
- The rehabilitation of the Tissue Culture Laboratory;
- The expansion of the Plant Propagation Programme;
- The promotion of backyard gardening and youth in agriculture;
- The promotion of new production systems and technology in the sector; including
efforts to support aquaponics and agroponics;
- Further strengthening of the sector’s resilience to natural disasters and other
threats, including through appropriate insurance mechanisms; and,
- Supporting the revitalisation of the cocoa and nutmeg industries.
A major private sector initiative currently transforming our agricultural sector and several
rural communities is the CaneCo/Renegade Rum Project. This important initiative is
currently providing hundreds of jobs to our people and will soon provide a major boost
to our exports.
Government’s plans and initiatives for revitalising agriculture must take into consideration
an issue that has plagued the industry for many years – praedial larceny. Government
has already taken bold steps to amend the Praedial Larceny Act, initiate the installation
12of security cameras on farms and launch a praedial larceny hotline. My Government will
continue to take proactive action that will serve to deter persons from stealing agricultural
produce and ensuring that our hard-working farmers are not disillusioned by the
perpetrators of this practice.
Tourism
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
Our tourism sector, which accounts for approximately 25 percent of our Gross Domestic
Product, was the hardest hit by this pandemic. With global travel grinding to a halt in
early March, the tourism sector experienced a similar fate. This has brought into sharp
focus three important considerations. First, the need to ensure that the sector quickly
adapts to the new realities created by the pandemic. Second, the need to diversify and
expand our economic base. Third, the need to make the tourism sector more resilient to
shocks to ensure a stronger and more resilient recovery. To this end, my Government
will aggressively pursue policies, projects, and reforms to advance these and other
priorities.
Regarding airlift, my Government will continue to collaborate with major airlines to see a
full return of existing airlift by the end of 2021. In addition, my Government will engage
other airlines with the aim of moving into new markets and filling the gap left by the
closure of LIAT.
More broadly, my Government will continue to collaborate with other industry
stakeholders to facilitate the reopening and rebuilding of a stronger, more sustainable
and resilient tourism sector. In this regard, my Government applauds the Sandals Group
for their initiative in leading the reopening of the hotel sector. We also welcome their
willingness to share their service protocols with other hotels to create consistency in the
sector’s protection of the health and safety of guests and employees.
13The Maurice Bishop International Airport Upgrade is key to increasing the tourism sector’s
contribution to our economy. My Government, through the Grenada Airports Authority,
will continue to roll out this important project in the coming year. The realisation of this
project will see the expansion of the Maurice Bishop International Aiport to include a new
cargo facility, rehabilitation of the runway and bypass road, and upgrade of the passenger
terminal to enhance disaster response capabilities.
Infrastructure Development, ICT, and Public Utilities
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
In the current environment, construction in both the public and private sectors, offers the
greatest potential to spur economic activity. Thousands of our young people work in the
sector and will once again, be able to find gainful employment. In this regard, my
Government will move to expedite the implementation of its Public Sector Investment
Programme (PSIP), focusing on projects with the greatest employment potential. Our
current project portfolio has a listing of sixty-five (65) projects with a total value of over
EC$500 million. Of this amount, the lion‘s share involves externally-financed projects for
which funding has already been secured.
One of the major constraints in the area of project implementation, is the lack of capacity.
My Government will take immediate steps to boost the project implementation capacity
in various ministries/departments to maintain a target implementation rate of at least 85
percent in the coming period.
Some of the major public sector projects with huge employment potential and other
economic benefits, that are ongoing or will commence next year include:
- The St. Patrick‘s Road Network Upgrade;
- The Western Corridor Project;
- The Agricultural Feeder Roads Project;
- The refurbishment of the Police Barracks on Melville Street;
- The construction of the Grenville Commercial Complex;
14- The reconstruction of the Simon Cultural Centre;
- Several sub-projects under the World Bank supported Disaster Vulnerability
Reduction Project, including the St. John’s River Defense System; and,
- The EC$125.5 million Grenada Climate Resilience Water Project funded by the
Green Climate Fund and the German Government.
In addition to these major projects, the repair and maintenance of roads, schools, medical
facilities, and police stations will also be prioritised in 2021. Several sub-projects will also
be undertaken under the Climate Smart Agriculture and Rural Enterprise Programme
(SAEP) and the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), including the rehabilitation of several
schools.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
As alluded to earlier, the private sector will also play a major role in the recovery and
transformation of our economy. Through the Grenada Industrial Development
Corporation and the Grenada Development Bank, my Government continues to facilitate
local and foreign investments aimed at boosting private participation in the economy.
Currently, there are over thirty (30) local and foreign projects with a value in excess of
EC$12 billion that are at various stages of implementation. These projects, covering
tourist and student accommodations, medical tourism, manufacturing, agribusiness, and
energy, will provide a major boost to the economy, including through the generation of
approximately 4,700 construction jobs and over 3,300 permanent jobs upon completion.
Several of these projects are new developments, including:
- The Grenada National Resort in Levera;
- The Range Developments project in La Sagesse; and
- The second phase of the Silver Sands Project and the Beach House Development.
15Other fairly-advanced major projects which halted during our lockdown period, have now
restarted. These include the Cane Co/Renegade Rum Project and the Kawana Bay Resort
in Morne Rouge.
My Government will also continue to work assiduously with local investors and will provide
financial and technical support to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to actively
promote growth and employment in this sector.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
My Government will continue to pursue its digital strategy to ensure that as a country we
keep abreast of developments in the ever-changing digital world.
Through various projects, including the Digital Government for Resilience Project (DG4R),
my Government will continue its efforts to harness and leverage information and
communication technology to support the economic and social transformation of our
country.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
In the area of energy development and public utilities, my Government will continue its
efforts to diversify Grenada’s energy mix into renewable sources and to reduce the cost
of energy. This is crucial to improving competitiveness, enhancing the business
environment and reducing our carbon footprint. The restructuring of the electricity
sector, therefore, remains critical. My Government will continue to seek a pathway to
reducing the cost of energy and the cost of doing business in our country.
The provision of safe water, sanitation, and waste management are critical to economic
development and the overall health of the population. As noted earlier, the Grenada
Climate Resilience Water Project supported by the Green Climate Fund and the German
Government, is a major initiative for the upcomig period. This critical project will not only
boost our water production but will also help guarantee a reliable supply of safe drinking
water throughout Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. Also, my Government will
16continue to roll out the CDB-funded Integrated Solid Waste Management Project aimed
at enhancing solid waste management in Grenada, which will see major upgrade works
at the Perseverance landfill site.
Youth, Sports and Culture
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
With close to 40 percent of our population under the age of 25, our young people are our
greatest asset. It is imperative therefore that we harness the potential demographic
dividend of this large, vibrant, and creative segment of our population. In this regard, my
Government will continue to invest heavily in our young people, including through
education and training to fully integrate them into the economy. Our young people must
be empowered to participate fully in our national development and in shaping the future
of this beautiful country.
A major undertaking in the coming period will be a comprehensive review of my
Government’s flagship youth initiative – the IMANI Programme. In our interactions with
our young people, the issue of transitioning from the programme into sustainable jobs
was highlighted. My Government will move swiftly to address this key concern as well as
other shortcomings upon completion of the review. Regarding the transition to
sustainable jobs, my Government is already exploring possible solutions, including the
establishment of a youth sewing cooperative that would be involved in the manufacturing
of school uniforms and other clothing products.
In addition, several other youth initiatives that are currently positively impacting
thousands of our young people, will be enhanced and/or expanded as necessary to create
opportunities for empowerment. My Government will also continue to invest in the
development of sports, culture and the arts, given their significant role in the developent
of our people, especially the youth.
17Public Sector Modernisation
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
The Public Service plays an important role in supporting Government’s development
agenda. In this regard, my Government intends to build on the progress already made in
improving the efficiency and productivity of the Grenada Public Service. The Department
of Public Administration will continue to drive the process of public sector transformation
via several initiatives.
A key initiative in this regard is promoting the digital transformation of the Public Service
by leveraging technology to work smarter and build resilience across the entire service.
This process is facilitated by the World Bank-supported Digital Government for Resilience
Project.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
Regarding Public Sector Pension, my Government reiterates its commitment to working
collaboratively to find practical solutions to this burning issue given its continued negative
impact on the morale and productivity of the Public Service.
Housing and Social Protection
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
While significant progress has been made in reducing poverty in our country, there are
many in our society who cannot provide for themselves or their families. My Government
remains committed to providing adequate social safety nets for those who are deemed
to be poor and vulnerable. This is consistent with my Government’s philosophy that no
one should be left behind.
During the current crisis period, my Government not only sustained the level of benefits
under its social assistance programmes but it also made it easier for persons to access
18those benefits by bringing the assistance to the communities and directly to the homes
of the needy. In the period ahead, my Government will maintain the improvements to
the delivery of social safety nets while ensuring that these benefits are better targeted
and expanded as necessary.
My Government will continue to provide support to our citizens with their housing needs,
particularly the less fortunate. With support provided by the People’s Republic of China,
a total of 647 low-income housing units will be available for distribution during the course
of next year. Added to that, my Government will continue to provide assistance under all
other major housing programes, including the House Repair and the Soft Loan
Programmes.
My Government will also continue its efforts to improve gender equality and women‘s
empowerment, as well as to protect our children from neglect and abuse. My Government
intends to launch a special programme in the coming period to provide support to
unemployed female-headed, single parent families.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed certain gaps in our social protection system,
including the need for an unemployment benefit scheme. My Government will continue
to explore the feasibility of introducing such a benefit to protect our workers during crises.
Safety and Security
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
A stable and peaceful society is a necessary condition for growth and development. More
importantly, my Government has a duty and responsibility to ensure the safety and
security of all its citizens and visitors alike.
19As a people, we have worked extremely hard to earn our country’s reputation as a safe
and secure place to live, work, and visit. We must continue to work together to protect
this hard-won achievement in the face of existing and emerging challenges to our safety
and security. My Government reiterates its commitment to support the work of our police
and prison services to ensure that they are fully equipped to adapt to the ever-changing
challenges in the criminal and prison rehabilitation sphere.
In the period ahead, our focus will include strengthening community-oriented policing,
suppressing transnational criminality and enhancing border security as well as leveraging
ICT in law enforcement.
Job Creation
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
Job creation will continue to be a top priority for my Government in the coming year. The
pandemic has interrupted the steady decline in the unemployment rate. After declining
by more than 15 percentage points in the last six years, the unemployment rate has
spiked due to temporary layoffs triggered by the pandemic. In the coming year, my
Government forecasts a reversal of this temporary spike and expects further progress in
driving the unemployment rate downwards. As noted earlier, the implementation of
various major local and foreign investment projects will generate significant employment
over the next few years.
In addition to promoting job creation and a safe work environment at the local level, my
Government will continue to collaborate with the Government of Canada to increase
participation of Grenadians in the Canada Seasonal Agricultural Programme.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
My Government is confident that over 4,100 new jobs will be created next year.
20Strengthening Resilience
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
This year‘s hurricane season has proven to be a very active one as predicted. Thankfully,
we have been spared any direct major impact to date. The impact of natural disasters
has the potential to increase economic volatility, reduce growth potential, hinder social
progress, and contribute to high levels of indebtedness. Building resilience to natural
disasters and climate change is therefore critical.
Prior to the onset of the current pandemic, my Government was making significant
progress in strengthening the country‘s resilience to external shocks. As noted previously,
thanks to these efforts, my Government was able to mount a decisive and comprehensive
response to the current crisis, including by providing critical support to affected
households and businesses. My Government therefore reaffirms its commitment to
further strengthen our country‘s resilience to climatic and other external shocks, including
public health emergencies.
With continued support from our international partners, my Government will advance
work on the development of a three-pillar Disaster Resilience Strategy (DRS) covering
structural, financial, and post-disaster resilience. The key elements of this strategy will
include climate resilient infrastructure, fiscal buffers, insurance mechanisms, and
institutional strengthening of our crisis response framework.
Legislative Agenda
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
Before I conclude, I would like to touch briefly on my Government’s legislative agenda
for the upcoming year. The agenda is driven by my Government’s policies and priorities
and outlines the key legislative actions necessary to achieve its main focus of recovery,
transformation, and resilience.
21The proposed legislative agenda will cover the following areas, among others:
- Energy development;
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation;
- Child protection;
- Business climate enhancement; and
- Labour relations.
Conclusion
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted a period of solid macroeconomic performance in our
country. Notwithstanding this unfortunate setback, the pandemic has presented a window
of opportunity for us to rebuild in an even better and more resilient manner. It is
imperative, therefore, that we seize this opportunity for the continued development of
our country and benefit of all our people. In this context, my Government reaffirms its
major focus for this session of Parliament as: Towards Vision 2035: Recovery,
Transformation, and Resilience. My Government will provide additional details on its
policies and programmes during the 2021 Budget Presentation.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament.
In closing, let us pray for continued guidance and protection during this period of
unprecedented challenges and go forward with the knowledge and comfort that behind
every dark cloud lies a silver lining.
For our Holy Scripture says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I
am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my
righteous hand.” Isaiah 41:10.
It is therefore my distinct pleasure to declare the Fourth Session of the Tenth Parliament
open. Thank you and may God continue to bless us all.
22You can also read
